Crafty or Crazy?

At 4:00 in the morning, I don't think there is much difference! See, I'm dedicated to those custom-made projects! I have to see them through.....no stopping in the middle! (mama C~ Do you see MY anarchist dreadie? What's with this hair?)

The journey from farm to table...

"What is this, Mama?"
Onions
Nolan found a resident worm!
Onion
Carrots..yum, right?!?
Soaking
and Scrubbing (Teah soon lost interest)

Nolan stuck with it and look at the results! (and what a proud farmer he is)
Now those are carrots!
"Look Mama, a three-headed one!"

Many of you know Zeb of Thousand Suns Farm...from the DuBois Farmer's market, The Coolspring Market and most recently, the DuBois Sustainable Grower's Coop Winter CSA. (Whew Zeb, you're beginning to have quite a bio there:)

Anyway, Zeb was going out of town last week and asked me if I'd lend a hand to ensure that his yummy root veggies got to all of his CSA clients. "Sure, " I said..."what do I have to do and what's in it for me?" Zeb said that the veggies were already harvested, all I needed to do was wash them off, weigh them out, bag them up, and deliver them...and in exchange, I could keep the excess. "No problem" I thought. I can do that!

So, I gathered up my helpers and went after it! We had a blast, but easy, it was not. And dirty! Wow, who knew? I don't think anyone would eat their veggies if they bought them looking like they do when they come out of the earth! It was wonderful work...very connecting. I loved the feeling of my hands in the water, cleaning off the soil...and the smell of those carrots! Yum-my! And the feeling of satisfaction in helping to get healthy, naturally grown food to folks who care enough to choose it...I really enjoyed it! See Zeb, I could live in a farming community!

Can't forget handmade wrapping paper!

So then, after we had taken such care to handcraft all the cards and gifts, we weren't about to spoil it by purchasing wrapping paper, nosiree (is that a word?)...we went right down to our local newspaper and bought ourselves an end roll of newsprint for $1 and brought it home and made this beautiful potato stamped wrap for our gifts! Extra love and care! ...Just for you!

Remember...handmade= love!

Handmade Holiday Pledge

This year, I decided that I was fed up with waste, with packaging, with thoughtless, mass produced gifts, with consumerism and mindless spending. I wanted to teach my children the joy that comes from giving, from creating, from thinking about your loved ones and hand-crafting something just for them. So, I took the handmade pledge. You can find out more at www.buyhandmade.org. The children reluctantly agreed and we set about making handmade Christmas cards sent in handmade recyclopes (recycled calendars and magazines). We followed that up with handmade gifts....canned jellies and salsas and freshly baked breads, cookies, candies, carefully sewn cloth napkins and placemats, colored pencil rollups, knitted wonders, and much more. For some of our loved ones, we decided to support other handmade crafters...why?

Because. Handmade=Love! As simple as that!

Will you take the handmade pledge this year?

Lookie!

Dalai Mama's nose has a new look! (it's very hard to see...)

Winter CSA

Well, Folks, this will be the last week for the DuBois Sustainable Growers Cooperative Winter CSA. My how time flies! I'd like to thank you all for supporting us this season. I hope you've enjoyed all your goodies. Pastured chicken, Chevre cheese, organic breads, and those crunchy veggies! We've enjoyed bringing them to you. We hope to see you in the summer either at the DuBois Farmer's Market or perhaps through a summer time CSA. Most of us will be attending the PASA conference in February to stay abreast on all the exciting new developments in the world of sustainability, organic farming, and all-natural living so that we can bring that knowledge to you. Feel confident that when you buy local, handmade, certified naturally grown or organic, you are giving yourself and your family a wonderful gift.
Thanks again and we hope to see you soon!
Now...what flavor shall I bake this week? hmm...cinnamon-raisin, garlic-dill, healthy healthy whole grain, or honey wheat? We shall see.

Oh, one more thing. I wanted to let you all know that just because the CSA is over, that doesn't mean you have to live without your favorite bread. No, no, no.... I still bake weekly for many other people, so if you'd like to place an order either one time or a standing weekly order, simply give me a call at 814-591-7673 and I'll be happy to bake for you!

Okay, happy winter everyone!

Farmer's Market is finished!

Well, it's been a great harvest season, but it's time to say goodbye. That's right, time has come for the Farmer's market to end. Thank you to all of my loyal customers who stop by my table and buy my bread and other goodies each week. I'm thankful to each of you for allowing me to make a living in a way that affords me the opportunity to stay at home with my precious children. And...I'd like to remind you all, that you can still get your yummy home-baked (with organic ingredients) goodies all winter simply by calling to place your order! 371-4130 is the number to call!
OR...by joining our winter CSA! What's it cost you ask? Just $25.50 per week! What do you get? Well, you get a loaf of my yummy bread, enough organic veggies for 4-5 meals, a pastured chicken, a dozen free-range eggs and chevre cheese! Wow! The CSA is for 10 weeks...give me a call for more info.

Also, we have decided to close the Coolspring Market in Sykesville for the winter too, due to lack of interest. But please remember, you can still get your goodies by calling!

Enjoy the winter!

~Dalai Mama